Sky Dreams gives Hollendorfer, Schvaneveldt repeat

After a contentious stretch duel Sky Dreams (left) finds another gear for an easy win in the Alameda County Fillies and Mares Handicap ($50,000 guaranteed) at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - Sky Dreams ($3.80), the strength of a three-horse entry for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, overcame trouble down the backstretch and rallied through the stretch to win the $51,050 Alameda County Fillies & Mares Handicap at the Alameda County Fair on Tuesday.

Coupled with Eclipse Winner and Secret Corsage, Sky Dreams seemed in trouble down the backstretch of the 1 1/16-mile race when second choice Eleanor Rose made an explosive move to take command of the race.

Sky Dreams was trapped behind tiring pacesetters Marla Bay and Wellingtons Arch and had to check to avoid clipping heels. Jockey Chad Schvaneveldt, who won the race with Secret Corsage last year, was able to swing wide for a clear path after being shuffled back to sixth and had no trouble overhauling Eleanor Rose in the lane, winning by 1+ (one three-quarters) lengths in 1:42.10.

"I was worried when Russell (Baze aboard Eleanor Rose) got the jump on me because I just didn't want to let him get too far away," Schvaneveldt said. "Then I was feeling a little unfortunate because the speed came directly in my face. I had to go around them, but once I came through in the stretch I knew I had it."

The victory snapped a streak of three straight stakes seconds for Sky Dreams, who earned $27,650 to boost her career earnings to $186,843.

"She was in a jackpot," Hollendorfer said. "Not many are capable of getting out of there. Chad did a good job. He could have gotten shuffled way back."

Hollendorfer will look at a race at Del Mar or the Luther Burbank at Santa Rosa for her next start.